Sweetheart Banquet, February 14th
The Care Committee will be sponsoring the Sweetheart Banquet once again. It will be held on Saturday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day), at 6:30 PM. There will be a catered dinner, drawings for special prize baskets, and entertainment. Tickets are $8.00 a person or $15.00 for a couple, and can be obtained from any Care Committee member. All proceeds from the banquet will go to benefit missions of our church. So romance your sweetie at the Sweetheart Banquet this Valentine’s Day.
“Imagine No Malaria” Campaign
The Florida Conference’s “Imagine No Malaria” campaign is now in full swing. Our church has a goal of raising $1000 for this important initiative in 2015. To make your donation just mark “INM” on your offering envelope. If every family in our congregation would donate just $10, we could easily reach our goal.
Church and District Salty Service Opportunities
RUMC is still looking for a few good men (and women) to help with leadership tasks and positions. If you are looking for an opportunity to use the gifts God has given you, know that RUMC has a place for you to serve. We are looking for volunteers to serve as a Communications Resource Coordinator, an Imagine No Malaria Coordinator, an On-Line Giving Coordinator, and an Outreach Coordinator. If you are interested in any of these challenges, please contact Pastor Merritt.
The Nominations and Leadership Development Team for the South Central District in Plant City has also identified several volunteer opportunities. They need “ordinary people to do extraordinary work in leadership for the advancement of Christ’s mission”. They know that when God wants something done, he will tap someone on the shoulder and tell them “I’ve got a job for you”. SCD needs include a Disaster Team Co-Coordinator, members for a Board of Location and Building, Finance Committee members, Lay Members to the Annual Conference and a Website Manager. If you have felt God’s tap, contact Pastor Merritt or the staff at the South Central District office for more information.
Annual District Training Announced for 2015
The annual South Central District training has been revamped for the new year. Now called “ConneXions Labs + Networks”, training will be targeted more towards the evangelical needs of the church. The first series of ConneXion Labs will provide program planning for children, youth and adults. Each lab is designed to provide “hands on” experience to participants, so that they can make it happen in their local churches.
Are you involved or have a passion to work with children, youth or adults? Do you work with or volunteer with Children's ministry, Youth ministry, Small Groups and/or Adult Sunday School? Then this first ConneXions Labs training is for you.
The lab experience will also assist in the building of networks of like-minded leaders for future contact and sharing. Events will be scheduled at Seminole Heights UMC of Tampa (1/31), First UMC of Lakeland (2/7) and Trinity UMC in Plant City (2/21). You can register for the ConneXions Lab of your choice at this link.
Let’s Explore New Opportunities for Growth
Pastor Merritt would like to begin a Confirmation Class in February for our young people in grades 5 through 8. If you know of a young person in that age group who has not yet participated in Confirmation Classes, contact Pastor Merritt or the church office.
Also, if you are interested in joining our church family or in being Baptized, you should contact the church office to set up a meeting with Pastor Merritt.
The Pastor is also interested in starting a new covenant group for adults. If you would like to participate in an exciting, new and fresh way to study God’s word in 2015, contact the pastor as soon as possible.
School Supplies Needed
Once again, we are looking for contributions of school supplies. During the winter months, the need for school supplies at Riverview Elementary school is great. You can place donations in the receptacles at both entrances in the sanctuary and in the church office.
Bible Message of the Week
God’s Most Important Commands
One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
Jesus replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31 (CEB)
Calendar of Events
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Tom Bandy Thriving Church Lecture. First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive Lakeland, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Tuesday, January 27
SPRC Committee. Library, 6:30 PM (Committee Members Only)
Saturday, February 14
Sweetheart Banquet. Crichton Hall,
6:30 PM
Friday, March 6-Sunday, March 8
Springtime by the Lake. Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, Florida.
8002 U. S. Highway 301 South, Riverview, FL 33578 813-677-5995
Service Times:
9:00 AM -- Faith Groups for All Ages
(Sunday School)
10:00 AM-- Worship Service
Rev. Merritt Waters, Pastor
Here at Riverview First United Methodist Church, it is our mission to win people to Christ, to train believers to become disciples, and to send disciples to impact our community and the world for Jesus Christ.
Download the January, 2015 BELL Newsletter from this link.
